The two of us walked downhill, through the winding alleys. The way back was much quieter, and a bit eerie. We weren't in a rush this time, at least Finn wasn't, but I couldn't help but feel this uneasiness in my heart. Fear creeped into my mind. Fear of what, you ask? That, I could not tell. It was simply a foreboding, dear reader, a feeling that something truly terrible was about to happen.
It was getting dark, too dark. The path ahead could barely be seen, and I was sure that if I got lost now, forget returning to my own world, I doubted I would even be able to return to my home in this world. I hope that she is back by now, I thought. A part of me was still concerned about her, and that only grew by the minute; but still, for one reason or another, the fact that Finn was here with me gave me a sense of relief.
A little while later, we arrived at a part of the alleys that I did recognise: a few turns later it would open a street away from where my place was.
'I'm afraid this is where we part ways, Sir Embers,' Finn said. 'It was nice knowing you. I hope we meet again someday.' He extended his hand.
'I wish the same,' I said with a smile as I shook his hand.
He went his separate way, disappearing into the darkness, while I turned to head home, when at the very corner of my vision, I saw a familiar silhouette.
'Zoras! Wait!'
'Fjorcroft?'
It was the voice of Zoras' brother. I wondered what he might be here for, but not for long, because you see, dear reader, as he came closer, and I could better make out his silhouette, my eyes widened in horror as a realisation dawned upon me. He was carrying someone in his hand, someone I couldn't make out at first, but it was Lune. She was unconscious in his arms. He walked towards me, clearly weary. Immediately I dashed towards him, taking her from his arms into mine.
'What happened?' I asked. He was tired; his steps were heavy—it was as clear as it could be that something had happened, something terrible. Immediately, I felt a wave of guilt rush over me, but I brushed it all aside as I tried to figure out what was going on.
'It's nothing, Zoras. Just take her with you. I'll be back after a bit.'
'Where are you going?'
'I still have some work left. I'll finish them and return soon.'
'How soon?' I pressed further. Whatever trouble he was in…I didn't even know if I could be of any help there, but if there was the slightest chance I could do something, even if I wasn't obligated to, I had to. I fully intended to return after leaving my sister back home to help him, but Fjorcroft clearly understood my intent.
'Zoras. Listen to me. You need to protect your sister. Do you understand? You need to take her home and be with her. You can't leave her alone. I trust you.'
He placed his hands on my shoulders, and with a soft, albeit forced smile on his desperate face, he said, 'Now go.'
And while I carried her back home, Fjorcroft turned back, and with a nervous swallow, he walked right back into the King's Chambers. It had taken him quite a while, and he got dragged into several places where he really didn't need to be, but at last he had finally made it to Findorf. He stated to Fjorcroft what he wanted, and reluctantly, Fjorcroft had accepted his demands.
'Can I take her home now?' he would ask, still shaken.
'Of course not! We still have quite a bit left to discuss, don't we?'
'But what about her?! You said you'd let her go—!'
'Fjorcroft Embers, are you perhaps suggesting I leave your sister alone in these alleys this late? If that is what you are saying, I can assure you I will have no trouble fulfilling your wishes, though let me make it very clear, whatever happens afterwards, it will be solely you who would be responsible.'
Fjorcroft could only click his tongue as his fists clenched tighter. How could something like this happen? How did this person get to know his identity? He had done everything in his power to hide who he was to avoid this exact situation, yet, in the end, it did not matter.
After that, Findorf had simply giggled, before he looked at Fjorcroft with a relaxed, almost teasing expression, and said, 'Relax, your sister will be home by the end of the day. If you go down now, you'll find your brother waiting there. You can hand her over to him, and we can continue after that. Oh! But of course, if you dare run…well, I don't think I need to tell you about the consequences.'
'I won't,' he said, picking her up. He did not even question how I was there in the first place…now was not the time. He had to hand her over first. He could ask his questions after she was safe. Of course, whether or not he would get an answer was a different story altogether. He went down, and there I was, standing, about to leave, before he called out my name.
He would hand her over to me, bringing us to where we were now, with him walking back to meet Findorf. There were still a lot of things that they needed to sort, after all.
'Findorf. You truly are a monster…'
He stopped in his tracks, right before the entrance to the building.
'Right…you truly are a monster,' he repeated, before breaking down into a hysterical laugh. His laughter echoed through the alleys as he rested his palm on his face. Right here, right now, he was about to make a deal with the devil. That was the best way he could describe the King of Information.
Fjorcroft knew of the four kings all too well, and under disguise he had already met the other three, but this person was different: he was in a league of his own. It was almost an insult to call him one of the four Kings. No, he was a much greater threat to be bundled with the rest of them.